Edmund Rudolf Martens was born Nov. 30, 1928, in Buhl, Idaho, to Rudolf and Henrietta (Becher) Martens and passed away Oct. 27, 2022, in Lincoln, at the age of 93 years.
Edmund grew up on the Clover Tract in Buhl, Idaho, where he attended Clover Lutheran School and Buhl High School and later graduated from Concordia Academy in Portland, Oregon. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia College, Seward in 1949. Edmund began teaching and later became the principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Columbus from 1949-1951. He moved to Orange, California, in 1951, where he taught fifth grade and served as the director of music at St. John’s Lutheran Church until 1966. It was there that he met and later married Ruth Marie Schnackenberg on Aug. 5, 1956, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Edmund received his Master’s Degree from USC in 1961. He accepted a call to Concordia College, Seward, where he taught music theory, organ, voice, conducting and choral music. He was appointed as the director of the A Cappella choir for 21 years. He took hundreds of these students (“Pelicans”) on eight tours of Europe and many stateside tours, making lifetime friends along the way. He also composed and published music for bell choirs and Orff arrangements for children.
After 49 years of ministry, Edmund spent his retirement teaching English as a second language, often enhancing the curriculum with the hymnal, catechism and church services for his students so they could hear The Word while learning words. He baked brötchen (little bread) every Saturday for neighbors, firefighters, friends and family. He lived at Fallbrook Assisted Living the last three years and was grateful for the loving care he received.
Edmund was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; grandson, Ian Edmund Koehler; two brothers, Donald (Martha) Martens, and Waldo (Ruth) Martens; and sister, Katherine Martens.
Survivors include his four daughters, Allegra (Clark) Koehler of Seward, Melanie Martens of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Renee (Rick) Nolte of Nehawka and Ronda (Rodney) Wescott of Lincoln; son, Sean (Brenda) Martens of Apple Valley, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Dorothy Schnackenberg of Carpinteria, California; 10 grandchildren, Gavin (Michaela) Koehler of Gretna, Alexander (Samantha) Koehler of Lincoln, Nathan Nolte of Omaha, Justin (Morgan) Nolte of Plattsmouth, Rachel Wescott of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rebecca (Nathanael) Haugen of Knoxville, Tennessee, Devin (Megan) Martens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zachary (Sarah) Martens of Mankato, Minnesota, Madeline Martens of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Luke Martens of Winona, Minnesota; six great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Dawson, Ada, Leah, Henry and Nora; many nieces and nephews; and the Pelicans who still call him “Dad.”
In Dad’s words, “And so, I commend you to look to the future with eyes of faith and hope, knowing that the Holy Spirit will be your guide and your comfort at all times.”
Visitation is from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be Thursday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Seward with a service of praise and thanksgiving following at 11 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Edmund and Ruth Martens Music Scholarship Fund at Concordia University, Seward, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln or the donor's choice. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
